Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

Important Message

Great news for locals: Share good, local news with your neighbors on Nextdoor and be entered for a chance to win $500 cash. Now, through Monday, May 8, share a favorite story using the “Share on Nextdoor” icon online, and you’ll be entered to win. Learn more.

🌱 Get growin’

Community Gardens in Madison, WI

Beware of the dog. Its cuteness might distract you from your crops. | Photo by Crowley Station Garden

Do you have a green thumb? Or maybe you’re interested in consuming more locally grown food. We’re taking a look at a few community gardens in Madison and how you can get in on the action.

Crowley Station | 201 S. Hancock St.

Located on top of a Madison Water Utility well platform, the Crowley Station garden is self-proclaimed as “Madison’s only downtown community garden with a view.” The garden site is currently in the process of completing its Lakefront Porch project, which will turn this scenic garden platform into a community gathering space.

Troy Farm | 502 Troy Dr.

The annual Troy Farms Plant Sale will take place the next two Saturdays — May 6 and May 13. Stop by to grab locally grown organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Troy Farm and its sister garden, Badger Rock, often host community events like virtual gardening and cooking classes.

Eagle Heights | 3016 Lake Mendota Dr.

The Eagle Heights neighborhood is home to one of the oldest and largest community gardens in the country. Submit your application today to snag a plot that may become available during the growing season.

608 eagle heights — The pool of Eagle Heights gardeners speak ~60 languages and practice methods from around the world.
|
Photo by Ilana Haimes

🌱 Start your own garden

Pantry gardens — Connect with the Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens to help stock local food pantries with fresh food.

Edible landscaping — All Madison residents can grow edible harvests on the terrace between the sidewalk + road for the general public to harvest from. Just be sure to follow the city’s permit process before doing so.

School gardens — Educators or community center leaders can reach out to the Wisconsin School Garden Network to learn how to get young ones involved in the wonderful world of gardening.

Plot-based gardens — Above, we listed just three of the 4,000 community garden plots in Dane County, and there’s always room for more. Check out these resources to start your community gardening journey.

Events

Wednesday, May 3

Drag Queen Bingo | Wednesday, May 3 | 7-9 p.m. | State Line Distillery, 1413 Northern Ct., Madison | $5 | Get your dobbers ready for a night of fabulous performances and prizes.
Understanding Your Garden Soil | Wednesday, May 3 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Learn what soil characteristics are important for gardening and how you can improve your garden soil.

Thursday, May 4

Wine Walk 2023 | Thursday, May 4 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Sun Prairie | $10-$35 | Bank of Sun Prairie, 228 E. Main St., Sun Prairie | Over 30 Downtown Sun Prairie businesses will be pouring one oz wine samples, hosting activities, and providing snacks.
Bike Night at the H-D Factory Shop | Thursday, May 4-Sunday, May 7 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 West Canal St., Milwaukee | Get ready to ride by heading to the Factory Shop on the H-D Museum campus for this special sale (think: up to 75% on Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® merchandise and select official licensed products).*

Friday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo Beer Release | Friday, May 5 | 12–10 p.m. | Karben4, 3698 Kinsman Blvd., Madison | Free | Stop by for the release of Sendero de Cobre — a dark Mexican lager — and grab some delicious tacos from the El Mexsal food truck.
Clay Creations | Friday, May 5 | 1-3 p.m. | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison | Included with $12 museum admission | Art studio staff will lead visitors in a weekly assortment of creative clay sculpture activities.

Saturday, May 6

Hill Farms Art Walk | Saturday, May 6 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | University Hill Farms Neighborhood | Free | Browse work by artists offering pottery, paintings, prints, clothing, Native American and African wares, cookies, sculpture, jewelry, and more.
Lake Monona 20K/5K | Saturday, May 6 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Winnequah Park, 1041 Nichols Rd., Monona | $45-$65 | Celebrate in Winnequah Park after the race with your two free beers, live music, and games.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Community

Food

Announced: 10 Milio’s Nurses and Teachers Appreciation Weeks winners

Presented by a 608today Partner

Milio’s was founded right here in Madison in 1989. | Photo by Milio’s

Not to be Swiss cheesy, but Milio’s is making some majorly positive community impact — and we’re not just talking about their delicious sandwiches.

Each year for Nurses and Teachers Appreciation Weeks, Milio’s opens the floor for Madisonians to nominate hardworking nurses and teachers who deserve recognition. 10 nominees are randomly selected to win $200 worth of free sandwiches, sides + drinks for their workplace.

It’s their way of giving back to those who give so much to us.

And now, (drumroll), the winners:

Nurses: Clara B., Brianna N., Kelsey M., Natalie A., Bex B.
Teachers: Mark W., Darcey B., Hannah L., Kari R., Ryan M.

Bonus: Use promo codes 608Nurse (valid through May 7) and 608Teacher (valid May 8-14) to get 20% off your order. 🥪 *

Claim your discount

News Notes

Community

Dane County and the City of Madison will stop accepting applications for the CORE 2.0 rental program on Wednesday, May 31. Renters and landlords will continue to have access to services for legal representation and mediation from the Eviction Diversion and Defense Partnership.
Centro Hispano, the largest nonprofit provider supporting the Latinx community in the 608, held its annual Strategic Update last week. Topics included the prioritization of homeownership and the funding of its new $20 million facility via Campaign Centro.

Coming Soon

The Hilldale Farmers’ Market returns this Saturday, May 6. A few of this year’s new vendors include Blu Haus Blooms, Hound It Down Bakery, and Supreme Seafood. Stop by Hilldale every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October to check them out. (NBC 15)

Outdoors

Multiple black bear spottings have been recorded in the past week around Madison. The Wisconsin DNR and USDA Wildlife Services are advising worried residents to keep food and pets indoors, but they predict the bear(s) will not be sticking around for long. (Madison.com)

Edu

Charles Isbell Jr. — dean and AI expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology — will become UW-Madison’s new provost come August. He’ll replace John Karl Scholz, who is leaving to become president of the University of Oregon. (Cap Times)

Cause

The Wisconsin DMV introduced the new Ice Age Trail license plate. It funds the promotion and preservation of the state’s 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail with a $25 tax-deductible contribution. (NBC 15)

Drink

Hint is the water that actually makes us want to drink water. Shop their 25+ fruit-infused flavors and use code 6AMCITY for 45% off (bonus: they offer an actually flexible subscription… and Hint is kid-friendly, too).*

Finance

The average retirement savings by age may be shocking, but it’s not too late to seek advice. A financial advisor could help increase your returns and alleviate stress. Try this free tool to get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area.*

Outdoors

🐝 The buzz on No Mow May

No Mow May in Madison, WI

Help out the bees and spend less time mowing — it’s a win-win.
| Image via Bee City USA.

No Mow May is an environmental movement that encourages homeowners to refrain from mowing and fertilizing lawns during the month of May. This allows pollinators to thrive during early spring, a time when flowers aren’t always as abundantly available as they are during late spring and summer.

Due to its commitment to preserving native pollinators, the City of Madison has been a certified Bee City since 2017. This year, locals are encouraged to only mow their lawns twice in May, if at all.

Don’t worry, you won’t get in trouble. During No Mow May, the city’s tall grass ordinance — which requires lawns to be cut to eight inches or less — will not be enforced.

Spread the word by printing off a few yard signs for you and your neighbors. The bees will thank you.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

This week on Reasons I’m thankful to live in an apartment:
1. I never have to mow, regardless of the month.
2. I’m on the second floor, making it harder for a bear to get in my back door.

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